All-Ireland club champions Ballyhale Shamrocks are through to the Kilkenny SHC semi-finals, but only after surviving a huge scare from Dicksboro at UMPC Nowlan Park yesterday.

Goalkeeper Dean Mason was the hero for the six-in-a-row chasing county kingpins after his last-gasp save from Andy Gaffney's 20-metre free made sure of a 1-20 to 0-21 quarter-final victory.

In a brilliant televised clash, Adrian Mullen's goal with the last puck of the first half helped Shamrocks to a 1-11 to 0-9 lead at the break. But with Gaffney in fine scoring form, the city side dominated the third quarter to open up a 0-19 to 1-13 lead.

With Paddy Mullen picking up a second yellow card, Shamrocks looked to be in big trouble, but they fought back to level through Colin Fennelly - who had returned from Dubai for the game - before two TJ Reid frees in injury-time saw them through to a last-four clash with James Stephens. Brian Cody's side were 1-18 to 0-15 winners over Graigue-Ballycallan earlier.

O'Loughlin Gaels and Bennettsbridge will face off in the other semi-final.

 

The @StCanicesCU Senior HC semi-final draw & the @JJKavanaghBuses Junior HC Section A quarter-final draw took place at UPMC Nowlan Park this evening pic.twitter.com/5egOnN9ZKu

— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) October 1, 2023

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